What You Can Do About Procrastination

Goals stalled? Always running behind? Stuck in a rut?

Procrastination means "putting it off". Whether it's a career goal, a home project, or something about your daily life, a sustained plateau on a goal can rattle your motivation, challenge your thinking. And that can eventually mean that you're putting off your LIFE, not just a task.

The key is to push through these plateaus to see the finish line. Take a good look, reassess your strategy, ask some questions, make some changes. Not dealing with it, won't make it go away. Stop putting off your life!

What can I do when I find it hard to just get started?

The hardest thing about everyday tasks is getting started on them. It's kind of like pushing a stalled car -- once you get going, everything rolls right along. You can beat procrastination in daily life tasks by setting up systems that help you. Set a time to pay bills (Wed mornings, for example). Then you do it and forget it. Most people don't decide "not to" do something -- they just don't every consciously decide TO do it. Decide. Put life on your schedule.

What can I do when I don't feel qualified to perform the task?

Being afraid that you will fail at something is a sure-fire way to get you to stop before you've started. You can beat procrastination by being honest with yourself about your level of training in that particular task. Don't complain or delay. Simply request help from someone qualified who can help you learn.

What can I do when I'm not sure this is something I really want?

I was having trouble finishing painting my kitchen and I couldn't figure out why. As I started to really think about it, I realized that I didn't really like the color. "Martha Stewart" said I ought to like it, but I just didn't. As soon as I mentally fired Martha and got the color I really wanted, I finished in no time. You can beat procrastination by telling the truth about what you really want out of life. Live as the star of your own life, not as an extra in someone else's.

What can I do when the task seems huge, overwhelming?

Beware of over-exaggeration. While it may seem like it will take lightening years to complete a job, you can control procrastination by using a timer to help you see what you can really accomplish in 30 minutes. I guarantee you'll be shocked. Schedule a specific amount of time that you will spend on it each day, or week -- set the timer. Devote that time to it, and then return next time. You'll move forward without exaggeration or exasperation.

What can I do when there are many things demanding my attention?

When there is too much crammed into 24 hours, often nothing of real value gets done You can control procrastination by setting priorities. Do things that are important to you and your life. Weed out the junk in your life, the same way you pull the weeds in your garden - just because they volunteered to show up doesn't mean you want them there!

Making a task easier often comes with making a choice to adjust your schedule, re-allocate your money, or choosing how to spend your energy. We all know that, like mom taught us, we have to get our work done before we can go out and "play". Put your work on a schedule, keep it realistic (you're only human!), and that makes play time all the more enjoyable. Your happiness depends on it!

Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates specializes in helping people who are ready to create a simpler, less stressful, more joyful and meaningful lifestyle. Visit http://www.reallifecoach.com for information, products and services, and sign up for a free newsletter.

MORE RESOURCES:

RELATED ARTICLESHow To Get Motivated When You Have An Off Day
What can you do on days like these? Is there a way to get motivated and stay motivated?There are three simple yet powerful ways to pull yourself out of a slump. And best of all you can start using these strategies today.
Creative Procrastination
Do you ever postpone things, or just forget about them for a while, or tell yourself, "I'll get to that later?" Do you sometimes feel guilty about it? Well, it's true that procrastination can be a bad habit, but there are times when it can be useful.Procrastination When You Are UnsureSometimes procrastinating makes sense if you aren't sure you should be doing something.
What Motivates You - Desire or Fear?
The energy of desire is a powerful motivator and creative force. Yet we must state our desires clearly with the rewards of success in mind.
Hey CyberJunkie, Clean that Booger off Your Nose!
Well..
Have You Said Thank You Today?
'When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.' --G.
The Top Five Great Reasons to Delay Pursuing Your Dream
1.2.
Seven Habits Of Ineffective People
For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps to have the right habits. You knew that, of course, but don't forget that it also helps to not have the wrong habits.
Why are You Living?
It was 4,O'Clock in the morning, my regular time to leave my bed and prepare myself for the day's activities. But today, it was special?some thoughts were troubling the peace of my find.
Are You in Touch With Your Inner M?
"M" is for Motivation.What motivates you to do a good job?Is it a sense of achievement?Recognition for a job well done?Helping people?Desire for responsibility?Solving problems?Making more money?You should give some thought to what motivates you to do your job better and allows you to feel a real sense of job satisfaction.
The Secret Motivation Strategy That Never Fails
No matter how much you want to make your dreams come true you still need some practical ways to keep yourself motivated over the long term. You need the ability to keep going in the face of setbacks, disappointments and short-term frustrations.
No, Fear! The Success is Yours (1)
Fear is the minds great mortal sin.And isn't it just at times when you have to risk something, that you Fear? Think about it! You've had a great idea but you don't tell a soul because you're afraid.
What are You Waiting for?
Do it now! Whatever it is you have been putting off, do it. This is your life, it is not a dress rehearsal.
Day Dream Believer
I am sure you, just like the rest of us, experienced all sorts of day dreams when you were younger. Who amongst us did not find themselves, at one time or another, in the precarious position of being blissfully lost in day dream when one of our teachers called on us in class? You know how that story went.
Get Off Your Butt and Create Your Financial Future?Now!
Most people have no idea where their money goes. They earn it and they spend it.
Celebrating the Couch Potato
Ah, the couch potato, that icon of American pop culture values. Isn't that the life? Why would anyone want to exert extra energy to be productive when you can simply plop down on the couch in front of the telly and enjoy all that delicious snack food and a cool one.
The Answer Is The Question ... Asking The Right Questions!
We all have questions about our lives, directions, and destinies. It is the curiosity of the unknown that intrigues us to ask of the future.
Lazy? Or Right on Schedule
Q. I've been working on a big project for a long time.
Motivation By Consequences
In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a brat camp in the USA by desperate parents whose lives had been made hell by their own offspring. All seven were from the UK.
Procrastination: Hypnosis Can Help You Overcome It
I recently saw a t-shirt with the following saying: "Procrastinate later." I had a great laugh.
3 Clever Ways To Stop Procrastinating
Stopping procrastination can be challenging, especially since you can't put it off until tomorrow! Most people who procrastinate did not do so overnight. Like any other bad habit, procrastination starts small and builds itself up.